The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents of young children to anchor and stabilize their TV's, furniture, and appliances to prevent them from tipping over. Young children often use furniture to climb on so they can reach higher objects. Low cost anchoring devices can help prevent furniture from toppling over onto children resulting in fatalities. Children involved in tip-over accidents sustain head injuries and other injuries to the body as a result of being crushed by the wight of the falling items. Unanchored TV's placed on dressers, bureaus, and tables not intended to be TV stands are associated with many tip-over accidents. Lots of families will be getting new TV's and stands this holiday season...The CPSC recommends:
- Anchor furniture to the wall or floor
- Place TV's on sturdy, low bases, or anchor the furniture and the TV on top of the base, and push the TV as far back as possible.
- Keep remote controls, toys, and other items that might attract children off of TV stands or furniture.
- Keep TV and/or cable cords out of reach of children.
- Make sure freestanding kitchen ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
- Supervise children in rooms where these safety tips have not been followed.